Residents hit out at ‘outrageous’ charge to park outside homes
An £80 a month charge to park outside a converted Stockport mill has been lowered after residents hit out at the 'outrageous' fee.
People living at Meadow Mill, near Portwood roundabout and the M60, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) of their frustration at the payment, especially after heavy flooding on New Year's Day left the car park submerged in water.
The owners of the building, Awal Investment, had planned to enforce the £80 charge at the site from September, but dropped the cost to £40 a month instead after meetings with stakeholders.
There are more than 200 apartments at the mill and around 35 parking bays are privately owned, with the rest subject to parking fees.
Stephen Shepherd had moved into the mill just weeks ago renting an apartment from an estate agency, but said he only learned about the charge from speaking to other residents.
"It's not affordable really, I don't think we'd be able to pay it, I think I'd have to just walk everywhere," he said.
"If you pay £80 a month for it, what happens if you can't find a space? We've got a 12-year-old son and we take him out in the car."
Doug Franks, 29, said: "I'm paying to park at Tesco [across the road] at the moment, but we've got a daughter so getting her in and out is not as convenient.
"From my experience, I think people feel frustrated and annoyance about the charge, there's still a flood risk and now we have to pay for parking outside our own home."
Tony Connor, head of property and developments at Awal Investment, defended the fee.
He explained that the charge was not a new proposal, but that it was not being enforced while work was taking place to define individual parking bays outside the mill.
"It's always been part of the plan here, it's nothing new," he said.
"I don't sense frustration from residents about this, I felt that it was reasonable. We've got 220 bicycle spaces here, I would encourage people [looking for other ways to travel] to use these and also public transport."
According to Google Maps, it would take nearly an hour to get from Meadow Mill to Manchester city centre by bus, twice the time it would take by car.
Alternatively, trains can be used from Stockport railway station which is a half an hour walk from the mill.
Christine Carrigan, a Labour councillor in Stockport, said she was pleased the fee had been lowered after 60 people living at the mill contacted her with concerns.
She said residents had not been clearly informed about the charge and when it would come into effect.
"There had been lots of rumors and gossip about this but no real communication," she told the LDRS.
"I was able to meet with the owners' representative, Mr Tony Connor, who has listened to the residents and myself, and I am very pleased that he has confirmed the charge will be reduced from £80 to £40 which is great news.
"There do remain issues with communication but we have agreed to work together to strengthen the comms between the owners and residents to ensure that everyone has the information they need and knows where to go for answers or support."
The £40 a month charge to park at Meadow Mill will be activated from September, Mr Connor said.
There is a two-hour free parking period for residents and visitors arriving at the mill by car, with charges for longer stays.
Parking at the mill is being managed by YourParkingSpace on behalf of the owners.
A spokesperson from YourParkingSpace said: "Following a consultation with residents and stakeholders, a thorough review has taken place and the monthly fee for any additional vehicles – or for residents and tenants without a free allocation – has been set at £40, with the rate to be reviewed in 2026.
"Visitor parking is also available at competitive rates designed to ensure convenience and accessibility: up to two hours free, up to four hours £4, and up to 24 hours £6. These rates are in line with, and in many cases lower than, comparable local car parks, ensuring that residents' guests and members of the public have access to affordable, flexible parking options."
CERT, the company managing Meadow Mill on behalf of the owners, said: "This type of car parking management system is standard practice in the majority of apartment developments.
"Whilst the parking system has been in place since the mill was converted into residential apartments, the land owner has only recently commenced the instatement programme, therefore many residents who haven't bought parking spaces have had the benefit of parking for free during this time; however it remains that they do not have parking rights in their property deeds or tenancy agreements."
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